Mike Deeson

Although I was born and grew up in Chicago, after 32 years in Tampa Bay, I consider this my home town.

I had my first job in radio at KTGR in Columbia, Mo in 1966. My first job in TV was at KOMU TV in 1968 shooting black and white silent film. I've worked in, Jackson, Saginaw and Flint, MI; Rochester and Buffalo, NY and 10 years in Norfolk, Va where I worked at WAVY TV. I've been at WTSP since 1982.

I've won 10 Emmys, been nominated more than 30 times, won the lifetime achievement Silver Cricle Award from NATAS -- the first in Tampa Bay to ever win it; 5 Green Eyeshade awards (one of the oldest journalism contests in the country), more than 50 AP, UPI and Society of Professional Journalist Awards including winning Outstanding Invidual Achievement in the state at least once in every decade since the '80's... as well as Outstanding Individual Achievement in the South East.

When I'm not working, I spend time with my family, play golf, go to Lightning, Rays and Bucs games, and I write music. I'm the regional coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association and have written more than 500 songs... mostly country, but I've done a jazz CD and some kids projects. One of my songs, "Paradise Lost," was nominated for an Emmy.

What do I like most about Tampa Bay? I love the weather, I love the people, the fact that from sports to entertainment to restaurants there is always something to do here. This has been a great place to raise my family.